Statutory Rape in Ventura County

Let Our Ventura Criminal Defense Lawyer Fight Tirelessly for You

In California, it is against the law for an adult (a person who is 18 years
of age or older) to have sex with a minor (a person younger than 18),
despite the fact it is consensual. The statutory rape laws are premised
on the assumption that a minor is not capable of providing informed consent
to sex. If you have been arrested for or accused of statutory rape, you
need to get experienced legal counsel from a qualified lawyer.

Statutory Rape Penalties

Statutory rape is prosecuted under California’s rape and
sexual assault laws. This
sex crime is considered a “wobbler” offense, meaning that it can be
considered a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances of the crime.

If the defendant is no more than three years older than the minor, then
he or she will be charged with a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is punishable
by a maximum county jail sentence of one year and a fine of up to $1,000.

However, if the defendant is more than three years older, the prosecution
can choose to either charge the defendant with either a misdemeanor or
a felony. If charged as a felony, the defendant faces a county jail sentence
of either 16 months, two years, or three years, as well as a maximum fine
of $1,000.

If the defendant is 21 years of age or older and the victim is younger
than 16 years old, the offense is a felony. This type of felony is punishable
by a two, three, or four years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Our legal team can investigate your arrest, collect evidence, develop a
strong defense strategy, as well as aggressively protect your rights and
future. Do not hesitate to get experienced and skilled legal representation
on your side.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.